Germany city bans 'stumbling blocks' for Holocaust victims

The city council of the city of Haidenau (Saxony) banned the installation of 'memorial stones' — plaques in memory of victims of Nazism.

Consensus

• The city council of Haidenaue, Saxony, banned the installation of 'stumbling stones'—small brass plaques commemorating Nazi victims.
• The ban was proposed by representatives of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
• The decision was supported by members of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU).
• The 'stumbling stones' project was initiated by German artist Gunter Demnig and has been installed across Europe since the 1990s.
• The plaques are placed on sidewalks near the homes or workplaces of victims of Nazism.
• The city administration opposed the ban, arguing that visibility of memory in public space is essential.
• The city administration suggested that a memorial on the Northern Cemetery could complement, but not replace, the stumbling stones.
• International organizations, including the Auschwitz Committee, criticized the decision.
• The CDU's participation alongside AfD in this initiative was described as a political concern by experts.

Points of divergence

• The decision caused a wave of outrage in Germany, with many believing AfD and its allies are trying to erase memory of Nazi victims from public space. — tg_bbcrussian
• The city council initially delayed issuing permits for new plaques before AfD proposed the ban. — meduza
• The CDU's involvement was criticized by the Auschwitz Committee, with its executive vice-president calling it a 'scandal'. — meduza
• The initiative was a joint effort by CDU, AfD, and a civic group, marking unprecedented cooperation between CDU and AfD at the local level. — tg_theinsider
• Experts warned this cooperation represents a breach of the political firewall between mainstream and far-right parties. — tg_theinsider
• The 'stumbling stones' are banned in other German cities, including Munich. — meduza
• The president of the Munich Jewish community called it undignified for people to step on the names of the murdered. — meduza

Coverage (3 sources)

• In one of Germany's cities, placing 'stumbling blocks' — memorials to Nazi victims — is banned — BBC News Русская служба
• In the Saxon city of Haidenau, the ADG initiative banned installing 'stumbling blocks' — plaques in memory of Nazi victims — Meduza
• In a German city, voices of AfD and CDU refused to install plaques in memory of Holocaust victims. 'This is a warning bell...', — The Insider

Key entities

• CDU
• AdG
• Haidenau
• Germany
• City Council
• FRG
• Alternative for Germany
• Deutsche Welle
• Alternative for Germany (AfD)
• Saxony
• Alternative for Germany (AfD)
• Günter Demnig